Consider the following statements regarding Diphtheria: It is a non-co...
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently said that the Health Ministry of Guinea has reported an outbreak of diphtheria.
About Diphtheria:
- It is a highly contagious and infectious disease that causes severe inflammation of the nose, throat, and windpipe (trachea).
- Cause: It is caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin. It is a toxin that can cause people to get very sick.
- Transmission:
- The infection can transmit from a person with the infection to any mucous membrane in another person.
- Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
- People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.
- Symptoms:
- Diphtheria signs and symptoms usually begin 2-5 days after a person becomes infected. Signs and symptoms may include:
- A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils
- A sore throat and hoarseness
- Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Nasal discharge
- Fever and chills
- Tiredness
- If the toxin gets into the blood stream, it can cause heart, nerve, and kidney damage.
- The bacteria can also infect the skin, causing open sores or ulcers. However, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in severe disease.
- Treatment: Treatment aimed at countering the bacterial effects has two components:
- Antitoxin: This is also known as anti-diphtheritic serum. It neutralizes the bacteria’s toxins. Doctors use the antitoxin to treat diphtheria that has affected the respiratory system. The antitoxin only works on toxins that have not yet bound with cells and tissue in the body.
- Antibiotics: Erythromycin or penicillin can eradicate the bacteriaand stop them from spreading. Antibiotics can treat diphtheriaaffecting the respiratory system and skin.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
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Consider the following statements regarding Diphtheria: It is a non-co...
Statement 1: It is a non-contagious disease caused by a virus.
Statement 2: It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets.
Explanation:
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, not a virus. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
Diphtheria is primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the bacteria are released into the air in droplets, which can be inhaled by others. This mode of transmission makes diphtheria highly contagious. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
Conclusion:
Only statement 2 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' - 2 only.